ProRodeo Sports News - July 28, 2023

SILVER STATE STAMPEDE

ELKO, NEV.

Head Turner Rookie Bass continues strong season

BY BRADY RENCK, Special to ProRodeo Sports News I n the heart of Texas, surrounded by stock, the dusty and paved roads led to rodeo for Canyon Bass. The way he remembers it, by the age of 8 he knew what he wanted to do for a living. “My dad Clay (Bass) rode bulls. I grew up in a cowboy household. I was always around it. It was always there,” said the 19-year-old from Johnson City, Texas “I was always going to do something with rodeo.” Initially, Bass’ family did not want him to ride bulls. He roped. That, if we are being honest, is a lot safer than climbing aboard an ornery beast, whose kicks whiplash necks and misplaced horns lead to MRIs. But Bass got the bug after riding steers. That became junior bulls, which brings us here. In his rookie season, the young cowboy is starting to turn heads. He won top honors at the Silver State Stampede with an 89.5-point ride on Frontier Rodeo’s Bad John. It netted the teenager $5,726 as he edged Tyler Taylor (84.5) for the crown at the Elko County Fairgrounds at the Playoff Series stop. “It was just really a nice bull. I had seen it ridden a few times for points, including viewing him in an Xtreme Bulls event. I knew he was going to be really good, that I would like him,” Bass said. “All I had to do was my job. I stayed hooked and it worked out.” Bass had designs on this type of success last year. When he turned 18, he was going to ProRodeo. He performed well on his permit, showing enough progress to move forward into this rookie season. “I am not doing the college thing. I was ready to get out here and see what I could do,” Bass said. “I know my goal, like all cowboys, is to make it to those yellow bucking chutes at the (Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas).” The schedule is dotted with upcoming events with Bass entered “as deep as I can get.” His travel partners are microwaving his development. He’s sharing the road with two-time NFR qualifier Trey Kimzey and Maverick Potter, who made his first NFR appearance last season. “I grew up not too far away from Maverick. It’s great being in a rig like that. They are competitors who have been down this trail a few times and know what it’s all about,” Bass said. “And being around them, they keep a good mindset. It’s good, positive, about winning.” Listen to Bass talk and it’s clear he’s found his passion in this profession. The unpredictable nature of bulls makes consistency difficult. But Bass, even so early in his career, appears to be on the right path. “I just don’t know how to explain it. Getting on the bull is like slaying the dragon. It feels good when you prepare and adapt your style to all these different styles of bulls,” Bass said. “When a ride goes right, it feels like a dance, not a fight. There’s nothing like it.”

TOP SCORES TOP MONEY

EARNER Canyon Bass ($5,726, bull riding) BAREBACK RIDING Bass

1. Cole Reiner .......................... 85.5 pts. 2. Ty Pope ......................................... 84 3. Leighton Berry ........................... 83.5 STEER WRESTLING 1. Riley Duvall ........................... 4.5 sec. (Tie) Jake Faulkner ....................... 4.5 (Tie) Tyler Willis Ravenscroft ....... 4.5 TEAM ROPING 1. T. Tomlinson/P. Smith ........... 3.8 sec. 2. K. Driggers/Nogueira .................... 4.4 (Tie) C. Smith/C. Payne ................ 4.4 SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1. Sage Newman ..................... 87.5 pts. 2. Shorty Garrett ............................... 84 (Tie) Parker Kempfer ..................... 84 TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. Ryan Thibodeaux .................. 7.5 sec. 2. John Douch .................................. 8.3 3. Three tied at ................................. 8.8 BARREL RACING 1. Carlee Otero ...................... 17.24 sec. 2. Stevi Hillman ............................ 17.35 3. Ilyssa Riley .............................. 17.38 BULL RIDING 1. Canyon Bass ........................ 89.5 pts. 2. Tyler Taylor ................................. 84.5 3. Brody Yeary ................................... 77

W.T. Bruce photo Rookie bull rider Canyon Bass claimed top honors at the Silver State Stampede with an 89.5-point ride on Frontier Rodeo’s Bad John. The eight second performance earned him a $5,726 payday.

ProRodeo Sports News 7/28//2023

ProRodeo Sports News 7/28/2023

ProRodeo.com

ProRodeo.com

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